Hear now the tale of King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, a narrative treasured by the wise and told for the upliftment of all. The learned declare: a true son is he who is virtuous, who brings honor to his lineage both in this world and the next, who upholds the dharma of the ancestors, and who takes the share of the eldest by his worth—not merely by birth, but by merit. The Vedas themselves proclaim: “The son is born from my very self, from my heart; all that springs from him is none other than myself.” Thus, the scriptures reveal the deep bond of father and son. Yayāti spoke of his own sons, recounting how Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu had disrespected him, disregarding his wishes and failing in filial duty. But Puru, though the youngest, alone obeyed his father’s command and honored him above all. It was Puru who supported Yayāti in his old age, fulfilling his father’s wishes as a true friend, and receiving the boon once granted by the sage Shukra, Usanas himself. Thus, it is said: the son who follows his father’s will is the true king, the lord of the earth; among sons, the obedient one is truly the son and inherits the father’s share. A son endowed with virtues, who ever acts for the good of his mother and father—even if he is the youngest and most excellent—deserves all prosperity. This is the teaching found in the Vedas, and in the treatises of dharma and artha. Therefore, Puru alone was deemed worthy of the kingdom, for he had shown kindness and devotion to his father; and no one could dispute the boon granted by Shukra. When Yayāti’s subjects and countrymen, pleased with his judgment, spoke in approval, Nahusha consecrated Puru as king over his own realm. The other sons—Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu, along with their younger brothers—were assigned to the outer regions of the kingdom. Having bestowed the kingdom upon Puru, King Yayāti took up the life of a forest-dweller. He departed from the city, accompanied by Brahmanas and ascetics, and with his wives, Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā, performed supreme austerities in the forest. From Yadu sprang the Yādavas; from Turvasu, the Yavanas; from Druhyu, the Bhojas; and from Anu, the tribes known as Mlecchas. From Puru arose the Paurava lineage, O king, from which you yourself were born—a dynasty that ruled the kingdom for thousands of years. Thus, King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, joyfully installed his beloved son on the throne and, entering the forest, became an ascetic sage. There, living with the Brahmanas, he observed strict vows, eating only fruits and roots, mastering his senses, and eventually departed to heaven. In the celestial realms, Yayāti lived joyfully and happily, honored by the gods. But not long after, Śakra, the lord of the gods, cast him down from heaven. Suspended between heaven and earth, he did not reach the ground but remained in the sky, as has been heard. Yet, from there, he again attained heaven, together with King Vasumat and the valiant Ashtaka. In the assembly of the virtuous, Yayāti joined with Pratardana and Śivi. The sages asked: “By what deed did that king again reach heaven? Tell us all in full detail and truth, O Brāhmaṇa, in the presence of this noble gathering.” Yayāti, equal to Indra in glory, was the enhancer of the Kuru lineage, radiant as fire, famous both in heaven and on earth. The sages wished to hear of his deeds, which bring merit and destroy all sins. Thus, the tale continues: King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, joyfully installed his youngest son Puru on the throne and departed to the forest, entrusting his elder sons to Puru’s care. There, for many years, he lived on fruits and roots, restraining his senses and conquering anger. He satisfied the ancestors and gods with offerings, following the austere life of a forest ascetic. He honored guests with whatever the forest yielded, living as a gleaner, eating only what remained after others had been fed. For a thousand years, the king lived in this way. For thirty autumns, he subsisted on air alone, restraining speech and mind. Then, for a year, he lived on wind and performed severe austerity amidst five fires. He stood on one foot for six months, sustained only by air. Thus, famed for his virtue, Yayāti ascended to heaven, journeying through earth and sky. In heaven, the king dwelt among the gods, honored by the Thirty, the Sādhyas, the Maruts, and the Vasus. He roamed the worlds of the gods and of Brahma, dwelling there for a long time, virtuous and self-controlled. Once, Yayāti came before Indra, and at the end of their conversation, Indra asked him: “When your son Puru, taking your form, bore your old age and ruled the earth, and you gave him the kingdom, what did you say to him?” Yayāti replied: “Between the Ganges and Yamuna, this entire realm is yours; in the heart of the earth you are king, and your brothers rule the outer lands. A man should never act out of dejection, deceit, or anger; nor should he bring defeat, envy, or enmity upon any. The wise should never despise their mother, father, elder, learned man, ascetic, or one who is patient.” Thus ends this sacred story of King Yayāti, the great-souled one, whose fame endures in heaven and on earth, whose deeds are celebrated as meritorious and purifying for all who hear them.